How to actually make a white space work

The airy look of the all-white design aesthetic may seem unapproachable to some—a trend reserved merely for Pinterest stars and petless perfectionists. (How would you ever keep a room that clean in real life, anyway?) That’s why we decided to get the dirt on how this trend transcends the design world and manages to work in real homes where things like stains, spills, and footprints are inevitable. Enter Jess Oakes: Mother, dog owner, and blogger behind Positively Oakes, Jess answers all our burning questions on how to actually make a white space work and keep this clean look feeling … well, clean.

What do you love most about the all-white interiors trend?

My absolute favorite part is how open and bright it makes a room look. Our home isn't huge, but we've been able to make it look so much bigger with all of our white accents; it's actually pretty amazing.
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How do you make this look work for you and your home?

That's a tricky question because some days it's a hot mess (I have a toddler and two pups), but it's what I love. The biggest way I make it work is probably with bleach. That sounds silly, but seriously—all my white linens and towels stay really white with the right bleach and maybe some OxiClean™ sometimes. That's how we get away with all-white everything. 

Is it a challenge to keep everything clean (especially as a mother and pet owner)?

It's absolutely challenging! That being said, I try to make is as easy as possible on ourselves. We buy furniture that can be easily cleaned or touched up, and coat walls with paint that can be scrubbed. We wipe everything down every other week and do our best to keep our messy house as “clean” as possible.

Any secrets hacks for quick touch ups?

Keep a paintbrush and a small can of touch-up paint close by to quickly fix any imperfections! I usually go through the house and do this once a month—it only takes about 20 minutes!

What is your favorite way to accessorize a mostly white room?
I generally go with white furniture pieces, however for couches and cloth furniture I pick darker neutrals (because, you know, toddler). I also love a good pop of pink in my office or some nice navy in our living room. It breaks the white up but keeps the modern farmhouse feel I love!
  

Any strategies for incorporating color or pattern into a room while still keeping the overall look light and airy?

Honestly, for me it’s a lot of trial and error. I will add something, take it away, and then do it again until I get the right look! My biggest advice for keeping everything airy is to use mostly lighter colors and throw in some pops of bright or dark colors.

Are there any elements to avoid when it comes to decorating with white?

If you have little ones or pups like I do, I would probably say to stay away from white cloth items that aren’t easily replaceable like couches or chairs. If you still want white, try something with a slipcover that can be easily washed.

Favorite white room in your home?

I LOVE my office and our master bedroom. Our bedroom has more of a light neutral and white feel, but the windows and openness make it one of my favorite rooms. My office is all white everything—white shelving, desks, walls, you name it! I’ve spiced it up with some pops of pinks and it’s the best!

Any design advice for someone who’s thinking about trying this look in their own home?

Just go for it and don’t second guess it, you’ll love it—pinky promise!

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